Saturday, October 19 : Saint Bonaventure

If you have a few virtues, the sources of good works, or rather, because you are rich in virtue, persevere in the practice of them, always make progress and, through them, lead the combat for Christ until death so that on the last day, at the end of your life, you will receive the crown of glory and honor as payment and reward for your labor. This is why Jesus Christ your only love tells you in the Apocalypse: “Remain faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10). This crown is nothing other than the reward of life eternal, the possession of which should enkindle all Christians with desire. So arise, friend of God, bride of Christ, dove of the eternal King: come, hasten to the wedding feast of the Son of God for the whole court of heaven is awaiting you, “everything is ready” (cf. Mt 22:4; Lk 14:17b). A gracious and noble servant is ready to serve you; a costly and delicious meal is made ready to restore you; a gentle and friendly company is ready to share your joy, Arise, then, and make haste! Run to this wedding feast for a servant of great beauty is ready to serve you. This servant is the company of angels. What am I saying? It is the Son of the eternal God himself! Doesn’t he present himself as such in the holy Gospel? “Truly I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table and, standing before them, will serve them” (cf. Lk 12:37). Oh how great will be the glory of the poor and despised when they are served by the Son of God, the sovereign King, and by the whole united host of the heavenly Kingdom! A costly and delicious food has also been prepared with which to feed you. The Son of God himself will set the table with his own hands. As he says in the holy Gospel: “As for me, I am preparing a kingdom for you just as my Father has prepared one for me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom” (Lk 22:29-30a).Oh how sweet and delicious is the food that God in his goodness has prepared for the poor! Oh, happy are they who are to eat of this bread in Heaven, prepared in the Virgin’s womb by the fire of the Holy Spirit! “Whoever eats this bread they will live forever” (Jn 6:58b). The heavenly King feeds and restores his elect with this bread, this food, as it is written in the Book of Wisdom: “You nourished your people with the food of angels” (Wsd 16:20).

maronite readings – rosary,team